S550 versus S63 AMG ride comfort and interior sound level
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2016 Mercedes AMG GTs 2015 Corvette Z06 2022 Lamborghini Huracan STO
S550 versus S63 AMG ride comfort and interior sound level
I intentionally chose the S550 over the AMG for what I assumed to be a quieter interior, especially with respect to road noise, and for a softer ride. I love the ultra quiet interior and great sound system. Pretty funny for someone whose other main car is a Lamborghini Huracan with a race exhaust! I also have a Panamera turbo for the wife and the higher level of road noise really detracts, even with Michelin tires and I want to avoids that at all costs.
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2016 Mercedes AMG GTs 2015 Corvette Z06 2022 Lamborghini Huracan STO
I guess I didn't get around to the question of whether my assumption was correct that the S63 AMG would have more interior noise and a harsher ride. Can anyone comment who has compared?
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From: Huntington NY
S560
Without question a 63 will ride rougher than a non AMG car. It is often said that a regular car in sport mode is softer than a 63 car in comfort. I've heard that applied to S class, SL class, GL etc. I can't comment on the noise but I would imagine them to fairly close unless under throttle...
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'25 S63 AMG E Performance, '26 CLE 53 AMG
Not sure I would agree with this statement. I have a '19 S63 AMG and '16 S550 4matic. The S550 in Sport is about the same as the S63 in comfort. MB really did an excellent job with the '18-20 S63 with the car being like Jeckel and Hyde. Almost race car like in Sport + and in Comfort the ride that everyone is used to in an S Class--comfort and quiet! The S63 is just an excellent all around car.
Without question a 63 will ride rougher than a non AMG car. It is often said that a regular car in sport mode is softer than a 63 car in comfort. I've heard that applied to S class, SL class, GL etc. I can't comment on the noise but I would imagine them to fairly close unless under throttle...
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From: Florida
S550
It really depends on whether or not the vehicle is equipped with Magic Body Control. Cars equipped with the standard air-matic system tend to ride better than cars with MBC. That being said, from the looks of it, you should go with a car equipped with MBC; plenty of fun in corners & ride quality is still great.
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Z class
It really depends on whether or not the vehicle is equipped with Magic Body Control. Cars equipped with the standard air-matic system tend to ride better than cars with MBC. That being said, from the looks of it, you should go with a car equipped with MBC; plenty of fun in corners & ride quality is still great.
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From: Florida
S550
Think of MBC as ABC with a $500 camera that works about 1/2 the time. MBC uses springs with hydraulics to adjust quickly while the airmatic system uses air struts. The air struts iron out rough roads & overall, can be seen as smoother. That being said, when MBC is working, It handles larger bumps better. (Not to mention the handling improvements).
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Joined: May 2021
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Z class
Think of MBC as ABC with a $500 camera that works about 1/2 the time. MBC uses springs with hydraulics to adjust quickly while the airmatic system uses air struts. The air struts iron out rough roads & overall, can be seen as smoother. That being said, when MBC is working, It handles larger bumps better. (Not to mention the handling improvements).
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2020 S 560 Cabriolet -2023 Demon 170 - 1961 Cadillac -2014 Cayman
I test drove a S63 Coupe, S65 Coupe, and S560 Cabriolet. S63 and S65 have crazy power. S560 was WAY more comfortable than the S63 and still more comfortable than the S65. S65 had MBC and was a smoother ride than the S63. S560 has plenty of power for every day driving, and has the smoothest ride of the 3.
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From: Florida
S550
Not on 2014-2017 vehicles... That new system is called E-Active Body Control which does indeed use hydraulic & air components.
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2016 Mercedes AMG GTs 2015 Corvette Z06 2022 Lamborghini Huracan STO
Great answers form everyone. Just to add a side comment, my salesman (not trying to sell a particular car) said that he thought the S550 rode a little better than the S450 due to the extra weight. It also seems to me that the substantial horsepower and torque reduction would make the car feel a little underpowered but I have not driven one.
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From: Chicago burbs
2015 S550
The turbo V6 in the S450 is still pretty quick and will run 0-60 in just 5.4 seconds, which is only about .7 second slower than a stock S550. Technically, the 4.0 motor in the S560 is smaller and lighter than the 4.7 in the S550. But I haven't heard of any drop off in ride quality in the S560.
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AMG GTC Roadster, E63s Ed.1, M8 Comp. Coupe
MBC uses ABC as stated. Oil, no air. But there are two ABC systems. Active Body Control (oil) and Air Body Control (air). Also, the new E-ABC system uses air & hydraulics...
Last edited by Wolfman; May 12, 2021 at 01:48 PM.
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From: Land of 10,000 lakes
AMG GTC Roadster, E63s Ed.1, M8 Comp. Coupe
Think of MBC as ABC with a $500 camera that works about 1/2 the time. MBC uses springs with hydraulics to adjust quickly while the airmatic system uses air struts. The air struts iron out rough roads & overall, can be seen as smoother. That being said, when MBC is working, It handles larger bumps better. (Not to mention the handling improvements).
